APP1135277_Rice_Grant Proposal

GRANT PROPOSAL – 2016 Centres of Research Application ID: 1135277
Excellence funding commencing 2017 CIA Surname: Rice
Advisor to Adeza Biomedical for Fetal Fibronectin Testing Development which
remains the only FDA approved diagnostic for preterm labour.
Hyett Internationally recognized for describing the underlying pathophysiology of
increased nuchal translucency, a marker for aneuploidy and cardiac defects that
forms a central part of the 12 week ultrasound scan. This scan is now a routine
part of pregnancy care and the work underpins significant improvement in early
diagnosis of fetuses affected by chromosomal or cardiac abnormalities.
Member of the team that developed endoscopic laser ablation of the placental
circulation that is now recognized as the key intervention for improving survival
in affected twin pregnancies from 5% to 85%.
Recognized internationally for his leadership in bringing cell free fetal DNA
technologies to clinical practice in both RhD and aneuploidy screening.
Homer Established an internationally recognised research programme focused on
understanding mammalian oocyte maturation and oocyte quality and their impact
on female reproductive health.
Jointly set up and co-directed UNSW’s first Oocyte Biology Research
Laboratory
Established UQ’s first Oocyte Biology Lab located within UQ’s Centre for
Clinical Research.
Co-founder and director of Jumpstart Fertility Pty Ltd a company that is in the
process of obtaining strategic investments from the NASDAQ listed company,
Ovascience.
Colditz Established a multidisciplinary, productive, collaborative, national and
international network with paediatricians, neuroscientists, engineers,
psychologists and obstetricians.
Holds an Australian patent (2006 Approved 2006906381) for a method for
detecting EEG seizures in a newborn.
Possesses knowledge base relevant to commercialization and the application of
research to clinical practice and health policy.
Has undertaken key research that defines Clinical Practise in fetal monitoring and
is author on several Cochrane reviews.
Salomon Established and lead the UQCCR Exosome Biology Laboratory that conforms
the ISO standards (ISO17025 and 13485)
Established the mechanism of vascular dysfunction in the feto-placental
circulation in GDM and the role of the insulin receptor isoform in this
phenomenon. These results were the baseline to identify whether known
vasoactive molecules whose plasma levels are elevated in the fetal blood in GDM
pregnancies, play a functional role in the altered vascular reactivity and
endothelial dysfunction in women who develop GDM.
Several contributions to our understanding the role of placental exosomes during
gestation, and my work demonstrated their nature as specific subcellular
compartments and their ability to modify the biological function of target cells
(maternal and/or fetal cells).
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